Peak Rise Research Articles

High-temperature and abrasion-resistant metal-insulator-metal metamaterials

Selective solar absorbers (SSAs) with high performance are the key to concentrated solar power systems. Optical metamaterials are emerging as a promising strategy to enhance selective photon absorption, however, the high-temperature stability (>500 °C) remains as one of the main challenges for practical applications. Here, a multilayered metamaterial system (Al2O3/W/SiO2/W) based on metal-insulator-metal Fabry-Pérot resonance effect has been demonstrated with high solar absorptance over 92%, low thermal emittance loss below 6% (100 °C blackbody), and significant high-temperature thermal stability: it has been proved that the optical performance remains 94% after 1-h thermal annealing under ambient environment up to 500 °C, and 94% after 96-h thermal cycle test at 400 °C. Outdoor tests demonstrate that a peak temperature rise (193.5 °C) can be achieved with unconcentrated solar irradiance and surface abrasion resistance test yields that SSAs have a robust resistance to abrasion attack for engineering applications.

Characteristics of Eight Irish Dance LandingsConsiderations for Training and Overuse Injury Prevention.

Irish dance has evolved in aesthetics that lead to greater physical demands on dancers' bodies. Irish dancers must land from difficult moves without letting their knees bend or heels touch the ground, causing large forces to be absorbed by the body. The majority of injuries incurred by Irish dancers are due to overuse (79.6%). The purpose of this study was to determine loads on the body of female Irish dancers, including peak force, rise rate of force, and impulse, in eight common Irish hard shoe and soft shoe dance movements. It was hypothesized that these movements would produce different ground reac- tion force (GRF) characteristics. Sixteen female Irish dancers were recruited from the three highest competitive levels. Each performed a warm-up, reviewed the eight movements, and then performed each movement three times on a force plate, four in soft shoes and four in hard shoes. Ground reaction forces were measured using a three-dimensional force plate recording at 1,000 Hz. Peak force, rise rate, and vertical impulse were calculated. Peak forces normalized by each dancer's body weight for each of these variables were significantly different between move- ments and shoe types [F(15, 15)= 65.4, p < 0.01; F(15, 15) = 65.0, p < 0.01; and F(15, 15) = 67.4, p < 0.01, respectively]. The variable years of experience was not correlated with peak force, rise rate, or impulse (p > 0.40). It is concluded that there was a large range in GRF characteristics among the eight movements studied. Understanding the force of each dance step will allow instructors to develop training routines that help dancers adapt gradually to the high forces experienced in Irish dance training and competitions, thereby limiting the potential for overuse injuries.

Abstract P109: Geography Not a Factor in 2020 Stroke Consults; A Telestroke Experience During the Covid19 Pandemic

Introduction: The COVID19 pandemic causes strokes in younger patient populations with higher deficits. We examined recent numbers of stroke consults, their age and deficits in a large telestroke program and compared them to 2019 Hypothesis: Increased younger stroke consults in 2020 would involve higher deficits associated with COVID19. Methods: The Institute for Digital Health &amp; Innovation-Stroke Program provides neurology support to 54 spoke hospitals across Arkansas. Stroke consults who received Alteplase during 01/01/20 to 07/31/20 were compared to the same months in 2019. Retrospective analysis included consult age, geographical region, mechanical thrombectomy (MT), deficits (initial and post NIHSS) and outcomes. Age was listed as &lt; 65 or &gt;/=65 yrs. The state was blocked into seven geographical regions. MT was noted and deficits as improved, worsened, same (no improvement) or unknown. COVID19 positivity was unknown. Results: Consult numbers declined in 2020 vs. 2019, 285 vs. 370, respectively. Both years saw MT in approximately 10%; however, 27% went to hospice or expired in 2020 vs. 7.7% in 2019. In 2020 and 2019, those &lt; 65 consults who received MT were similar at 37 and 41% of total procedures, respectively. Pre-pandemic, there were significant differences in consult numbers among the seven regions (X2=30.1,n=370,p=0.037) in 2020, there were none (p=NS). The number of consults &lt; 65 or &gt;/= 65 years were not different between years(p=0.61); however, age had a similar significant effect on the initial NIHSS in both 2019 and 2020 (X2=13.5,n=370,p=0.0037 and X2=10.8,n=285,p=0.012, respectively). Improvement in initial deficit scores did not change (X2=6.9,n=655,p=0.074). No geographical differences were seen (p=0.66). Monthly initial deficits indicated a significant peak rise in the younger consults (&lt; 65) in April 2020. Conclusion: Stroke consult numbers declined by 13% in 2020 but the proportion of young and old were unchanged. In April 2020, younger consults (&lt; 65) experienced a spike in deficits. Further evaluation throughout 2020 is warranted as COVID19 cases spread.

Assessment of trace metal concentration in the ambient air of the Prayagraj City during Diwali festival-a case study.

The study evaluated the particulate matter trend and trace element concentrations, during the Diwali week for two consecutive years, November 2018 and October 2019. Diwali celebrations worsen the city's air quality from poor to a severe category of air quality index (AQI). A peak rise in PM10 concentration was found on Diwali day, 1.8 times more than a normal day of the same period. The concentration was 5.6-fold more than the permissible limit prescribed by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), India, and 11.26-fold higher than the permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO). The more firework bursting in the year 2019 results in the rise of PM10 concentration by 132% compared with the previous year. Lead (Pb), a carcinogen, was found in higher levels, in Diwali samples of year 2019. The average metal concentration on Diwali day was found in the following order: Pb (396.17) > Cu (70.34) > Mn (66.34) > Cr (29.66) > Ni (4.96) in year 2019 while Ni (195.20) > Pb (149.45) > Mn (64.85) > Cu (13.44) in year 2018. A significant positive correlation between Cr and Pb, Cu and Pb, Cr and Cu, and with PM10 have been observed, indicating their emission from a common source and the contribution of firecrackers to particulate pollution. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified the contribution of the bursting of firecrackers and vehicular emissions towards PM10 pollution in the year 2019 and vehicular emissions and dust resuspension in the year 2018 over the megacity Prayagraj.

Thermoluminescence characteristics of CaF2:Mn irradiated to environmental-like doses

In this study, the thermoluminescence characteristics of CaF2:Mn chips exposed to environmental-like doses are examined. Thermoluminescence measurements, at different doses (0.04–7.2 mGy) and heating rates (1–25 °C/s), were carried out. The sample's glow curves were analyzed using glow curve deconvolution (GCD), whole glow peak (WGP) and initial rise (IR) methods. The glow curves of the chips, readout at 5oCs−1, exhibited one peak around 306 °C. The integrated intensity of the peak increased linearly with dose. The peak exhibits thermal quenching with activation energy of thermal quenching of 0.65 eV. The mean activation energy of the peak from using IR, WGP and VHR methods are 1.22 ± 0.08, 1.14 ± 0.12 and 1.46 eV respectively. GCD, however, indicated the presence of five peaks in the sample's glow curve. Data from this study are compared with those reported for the sample exposed to high doses and discussed.

Characteristics of rocket-triggered positive lightning flashes and propagation properties of their initial upward negative leaders

Twelve lightning flashes are successfully triggered under the positive atmospheric electric field condition. The discharge properties of the flashes, and the propagation characteristics and mechanism of the involving upward negative leaders are investigated. When lightning flashes are triggered, the average ground atmospheric electric field is around 5 kV/m, with a maximum value exceeding 13 kV/m. Except for one special event showing a discharge polarity reversal (from positive to negative) and producing multiple negative return strokes, none of the remaining 11 triggered lightning flashes involves the subsequent return stroke process. The discharge currents of these flashes are generally of the order of several hundred amperes. The successfully triggered lightning flashes start with the initiation and the upward propagation of negative stepped leaders, of which the average two-dimensional velocity is 1.85 × 10&lt;sup&gt;5 &lt;/sup&gt;m/s. For a total of 132 steps captured by the high-speed video camera, the step lengths range from 0.8 m to 8.7 m, with an average of 3.9 m. During the initial stage of the upward negative stepped leader, the current and electromagnetic field present a significant impulsive feature. The mean value of pulse interval, current peak, charge transfer, half-peak-width and current rise time &lt;i&gt;T&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;10%–90%&lt;/sub&gt; are 17.9 μs, 81A, 364 μC, 3.1 μs, and 0.9 μs, respectively. The equivalent linear charge density of a single step is 118.5 μC/m. The branching of the leader channel generally takes place together with the stepping process in two ways: the first way is to implement the multiple connections of clustering space stems/space leaders to the leader head within an individual step cycle, and the corresponding current waveform presents a multi-peak structure, with a peak interval of about 2–3 μs (up to 6–7 μs); the second way is to reactivate those previously extinguished space stems/space leaders and to connect them to the lateral surface of the channel.

ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ БОЛЬНЫХ КОМОРБИДНЫМИ РЕКУРРЕНТНЫМ АФФЕКТИВНЫМ И ПАНИЧЕСКИМ РАССТРОЙСТВОМ

The paper presents data from the examination of 54 patients with combined mental pa-thology. The main group (MG) included 27 patients with comorbid recurrent affective and panic disorders. Patients (27 people) in the control group (CG) were diagnosed with inde-pendent affective disorder. The clinical and psychological parameters of the patients’ personal sphere in the main and control groups were studied and analyzed. The trait profile of patients with MG is represented by disharmonious manifestations and significant peak rise in the scales: “hypochondria”, “depression” and “psychasthenia”. According to the analysis conducted, the following personality characteristics were marked in patients with a combined variant of recurrent affective and panic disorders: inert thinking style, insecurity, high sensitivity, impressionability, dependence on the surroundig people’s opinion, suspiciousness, caution, discretion, high moral exactingness towards oneself and others, conscientiousness, comfort and diligence, unsociability, secrecy and isolation. Besides, the relationship between personal characteristics and choice of protective and coping behavior in patients MG and CG was determined as part of the study. To reduce the discomfort caused by a stressful situation, the patients with MG used the following coping mechanisms: “escape-avoidance” and “acceptance of commitment”. In order to resolve inner experiences patients with a combined variant of recurrent affective and panic disorders use destructive mechanisms of personality psychological defense by the type “denial”, “suppression”, “regression” and “compensation”. As part of the study conducted, the main psychocorrective targets were identified, includ-ing the components of defensive-coping patients’ behavior that showed manifestations of recurrent affective and panic disorders. The results obtained can be taken into account when developing a psychotherapeutic program aimed at harmonizing the personal profile of pa-tients. In the course of psychotherapeutic correction, it is advisable to use methods of the cognitive-behavioral direction, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. The obtained results can be taken into account when developing a psychotherapeutic pro-gram aimed at harmonization of the patients’ personal profile. In the course of psychothera-peutic correction, the use of cognitive-behavioral methods, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises is advisable.

Combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of diesel engine with nanocera added water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a 10 kW, single cylinder, direct injection diesel engine using cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanocera) added water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend (NWEB) vis‐à‐vis water emulsified Mahua biodiesel blend (WEB), B20, and diesel. NWEB was prepared with 69.7 ppm of cerium oxide nanoparticles, 1% surfactants, 10% water, and 2,500 rpm of stirrer. After measuring the fuel properties of test fuels, these were used to run the diesel engine at different engine loads and combustion, performance, and emission parameters were measured. The peak pressure rise rate significantly reduced with NWEB replacing diesel. CA10 and C50 points were observed earlier for NWEB as compared to base fuels. The rapid combustion, controlled combustion, and total combustion duration reduced by more than 5.0, 4.0, and 4.6%, respectively, in engine operation with NWEB over diesel and B20. The maximum brake thermal efficiency of 30.41% was recorded for NWEB as compared to 28.25% for diesel. The mean brake‐specific fuel consumption was 3.76 and 3.93% lesser with NWEB as compared to B20 and WEB, respectively. The mean EGT, BSCO, BSHC, and BSNOxwere reduced by 5.4, 30.8, 43.7, and 26.9%, respectively, with NWEB over diesel.

Effect of Low and High Viscosity Composites on Temperature Rise of Premolars Restored through the Bulk-Fill and the Incremental Layering Techniques

Background: Deep dental cavities can be restored through a single step according to the bulk-fill technique. Due to the great amount of resin to be cured, a main concern is the temperature rise occurring in the pulp chamber, potentially higher than that developed through the incremental layering technique. Temperature rise of bulk-fill composites have been evaluated. Methods: Bulk-fill composites, differing in material composition and viscosity, were used. Maximum temperature and temperature rate occurring in the composites were measured. Mesio-occlusal-distal cavities of human premolars were restored through the bulk-fill or the incremental layering techniques, and peak temperature and temperature rate occurring in the dentin, 1 mm below the cavity floor, were evaluated. Results: Temperature peak and temperature rise of flowable composites were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.05) than packable composites. For both the techniques, higher temperature peaks were recorded in the dentin for flowable composites. Peak temperatures higher than 42 °C were recorded for the incremental layering technique considering flowable composites. Conclusions: For all the composites, the light curing modality of 1000 mW/cm2 for 20 s can be considered safe if the bulk-fill technique is performed. Instead, for the incremental layering technique, potentially dangerous temperature peaks have been recorded for flowable composites.

Health Service Utilization in Hong Kong During the COVID-19 Pandemic – A Cross-sectional Public Survey

Background: As health systems across the world respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is rising concern that patients without COVID-19 are not receiving timely emergency care, resulting in avoidable deaths. This study examined patterns of self-reported health service utilization, their socio-demographic determinants and association with avoidable deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between March 22 and April 1, 2020, during the peak rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. Cantonese-speaking Hong Kong residents over 18-years-old were recruited using a computerised random digital dialling (RDD) system. The RDD method used stratified random sampling to ensure a representative sample of the target population by age, gender, and residential district. A structured self-reported questionnaire was used.Results: Out of 1738 placed calls, 765 subjects responded to the questionnaire (44.0% response rate). The factors associated with avoiding medical consultation included being female (37.2% vs. 22.5%, P<.001), married (32.8% vs. 27%, P=.044), completing tertiary education (35.3% vs. 27.7% (secondary) vs. 14.8% (primary), P=.005), and those who reported a "large/very large" impact of COVID-19 on their mental health (36.1% vs 30.5% (neutral) vs. 19.7% (very small/small), P=.047) using logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: Married females with both higher educational attainment and concern about COVID-19 were associated with avoiding healthcare services. Timely public communication to encourage and promote early health seeking treatment even during extreme events such as pandemics are needed.

Simulation of N-wave propagation in turbulent atmosphere using standard and wide-angle parabolic equations

Interest to the problem of sonic boom propagation in atmosphere is growing in recent decade due to the development of new generation of supersonic business jets. Important nonlinear wave effects occur in the last kilometer above the ground where sonic boom wave interacts with turbulence of the planetary boundary layer. Focusing and defocusing of the sonic boom on random inhomogeneities of sound speed lead to fluctuations of its peak overpressure and rise time, affecting the perceived loudness. Various one-way model equations of different complexity have been developed and actively used by the research community for analyzing wave propagation in turbulent atmosphere. The basic equation is the nonlinear parabolic equation of the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov-type, which has limitation on diffraction angles. Improvement in accuracy of the diffraction term can be reached using wide-angle formulation. Here, the simulation results for N-wave propagation through homogeneous isotropic turbulence are compared for standard and wide-angle parabolic equations of scalar type. Turbulence wind velocity fluctuations are accounted via effective sound speed. The wide-angle model is based on split-step Pade approximation of the propagation operator. The importance of taking into account large diffraction angles for N-wave propagation in atmospheric turbulence is discussed. [Work supported by RSF-18-72-00196 and ANR-10-LABX-0060/ANR-16-IDEX-0005].

Estimation of parameters affected in internal exhaust residual gases recirculation and the influence of exhaust residual gas on performance and emission of a spark ignition engine

In the effort of improving the internal combustion engine performance, the exhaust residual gases and effective release energy are sensitive factors, which effect on engine efficiency and emission formation. Herewith we estimated and summarized the parameters which affect the internal exhaust residual gases recirculation, and investigate the effect of internal exhaust residual gas on peak pressure rise, effective energy, and engine emissions, which weren’t presented yet in the previous articles. It is knotty to investigate the residual gas ratio, the effective energy under the various testing conditions from the experiments. Through the simulation and experiment methods approach we eliminated certain above drawbacks. From results of the research, we thoroughly investigated the effects of engine speed, air–fuel ratio, valve overlap, combustion duration, intake port diameter-bore ratio, and bore-stroke ratio on the internal exhaust residual gases recirculation. We also found that the increase in the internal exhaust residual gas from 1% to 5% was due to the peak firing temperature decrease from 2900 K to 1250 K, the peak pressure rise decrease from 8 to 5.5 bar/deg, the effective release energy decrease from 0.85 to 0.53 kJ, the NOx emission reduction from 11.3 to 2.12 g/kwh and the engine brake torque decrease from 20.3 to 9 Nm.

Reflexive Airway Sensorimotor Responses in Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Progressive motor denervation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leads to reduced expiratory cough flow and diminished airway clearance physiologic capacity. Although ALS is thought to primarily impact motor systems, preliminary data from our laboratory suggest degradation of afferent pathways that regulate reflexive cough responses to radiographically confirmed aspiration. We, therefore, aimed to delineate both sensory and motor responses to a tussigenic airway irritant in individuals with ALS compared to healthy controls. Thirty-two individuals with ALS and 34 healthy age and gender-matched controls completed reflex cough testing. Capsaicin stimuli (0, 50, 100, 150, 200μM) were presented in a randomized three-block design and motor (cough spirometry metrics) and sensory (patient-rated urge to cough, UtC) ratings collected. ALS patients underwent videofluoroscopy with penetration-aspiration ratings completed. Descriptives, Mann-Whitney U, and mixed models ANOVAs were performed. Sensory: Individuals with ALS demonstrated greater UtC sensitivity slopes (i.e., increased stimulus sensitivity) vs. healthy controls (p = 0.036). Within the ALS group, however, silent aspirators (PAS = 8) demonstrated blunted UtC sensitivity slopes compared to ALS patients who did not (PAS ≤ 7, p = 0.0001). Motor: Compared to healthy controls, ALS individuals demonstrated reduced peak expiratory flow rates (p = 0.004), longer peak expiratory rise time (p = 0.017), and lower cough volume acceleration (p = 0.000). ALS individuals demonstrated increased sensitivity to an upper airway irritant; however, they demonstrated slower and weaker expiratory cough motor output compared to healthy controls. In ALS silent aspirators, blunted sensorimotor responses were observed, suggesting that sensory degradation may occur at the final or most severe stage of bulbar disease progression.

Plasma prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in mares treated with detomidine and butorphanol

Stress or excitement is a concern when performing endocrine tests on fractious horses. Sedation may be a solution; however, perturbation of test results may preclude useful information. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a known stimulator of prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and ACTH. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone–induced ACTH is a diagnostic tool for the assessment of endocrinopathies such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. It is unknown if drugs commonly used for sedation alter endocrine responses. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of detomidine (DET) and butorphanol on endocrine responses to TRH. Nine light horse mares were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square with the following treatments: saline, DET, and detomidine + butorphanol (DET/BUT), all administered intravenously at 0.01 mg/kg BW. A 1-wk washout period was allowed between phases, all of which were performed in December. Blood samples were collected at −10 and 0 min before treatment and 5 and 10 min post-treatment. Administration of 1 mg TRH occurred 10 min post-treatment, and blood sampling continued 5, 10, 20, and 30 min post-TRH. Data were analyzed by ANOVA as a replicated Latin square with repeated sampling. Plasma prolactin increased (P < 0.0001) after TRH in all groups, rapidly peaking at 5 min in drug-treated mares and 40 min in saline-treated mares. The peak prolactin response to TRH was 2-fold higher (P < 0.0001) in saline-treated mares compared with those drug-treated. A peak rise in plasma TSH was observed in DET/BUT-treated mares 10 min after TSH and was greater (P ≤ 0.007) compared with DET- and saline-treated mares. Plasma MSH was stimulated (P = 0.001) by DET and DET/BUT before TRH, and the peak MSH response to TRH was greater (P < 0.0001) in drug-treated mares, although not hastened as observed with prolactin and TSH. A peak rise in ACTH was observed in drug-treated mares 5 min after administration of TRH, whereas a peak rise was observed in control mares 10 min post-TRH and was almost 2-fold lower (P = 0.05) than the peak observed in DET and DET/BUT-treated mares. Basal ACTH concentrations were not affected by DET or DET/BUT, indicating that sedation with these compounds may be achieved when needing to measure basal plasma ACTH. Treatment with DET and DET/BUT did alter the prolactin, TSH, MSH, and ACTH responses to TRH; therefore, the use of these drugs may not be advisable when assessing endocrine responses to TRH stimulation.

Responses of sub1A quantitative trait locus in rice to salinity in modulation with silver induction

Rice genotype (cv. Swarna Sub1) was compared with cv. Swarna with respect to salinity stress. The modality of sub1A traits, which is primarily linked to submergence tolerance, was monitored as to its sensitivity to salinity. Proline and electrolyte leakage were not significantly changed in cv. Swarna Sub1 as compared to cv. Swarna. However, the effects of silver ions through individual, hydroponics and pre-treatment distinctly varied between two cultivars. Silver absorption distinctly varied with 45.01-fold rises in cv. Swarna against control, whereas for sodium cv. Swarna Sub1 scored the highest accumulation by 3.03-fold. Potassium depletion in plants recorded a significant down-regulation for both the genotypes, maximally under salinity by 43.78 and 22.33%, respectively. Plants exhibited a significant suppression of shoot and root length which finally manifested in dry matter accumulation by 93.95 and 89.24%, respectively, for cv. Swarna and Swarna Sub1 under pre-treatment. Chlorophyll content significantly varied among the treatments as well as between the cultivars. Carotenoids and lycopene though depleted but had not any significant variation between the cultivars. NADP(H)-oxidase was distinctly overexpressed for cv. Swarna Sub1 by 1.16-fold under salinity than cv. Swarna (1.22-fold). Still, pre-treatment with silver has maximally induced superoxide content establishing oxidative sensitivities with a peak rise of 3.07 and 2.44-fold for two genotypes. Therefore, the significant traits linked to sub1A QTL would be the selection markers or to overexpress in susceptible genotypes under the condition of salinity for better sustenance.

SMARTPHONE-BASED DIAGNOSTIC MODEL FOR HYPERTENSION USING FEATURES FROM PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAM

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical technique which measures blood volume changes in the arterial blood using red and IR LEDs of wavelengths 660[Formula: see text]nm and 940[Formula: see text]nm, respectively. This paper proposes a methodology to measure the pulse rate from the video signal obtained using an LETV-LE MAX 2 mobile phone’s camera and also to evaluate hypertension. The Android smartphone records the intensity of light reflected from the index finger. The recorded video is separated into red, green and blue frames. Since the red video frames returned useful plethysmographic information, they are filtered using Butterworth band-pass filter and power spectral density analysis was performed on them. The immediate peak gives the pulse rate of the respective subject. Fifteen features of pulse waveform are extracted and by performing the feature selection process, seven features are selected and they undergo classification process using a neural network. The feature selection process is performed by using the eigenvalues of the principal component analysis method. The eigenvalues obtained from this method show the degree of variation present in the data. The eigenvalue that is near or close to zero gives the principal components. The features that are selected by the feature selection process of principal component analysis method are peak interval, settling time, rise time, normalized PPG, peak-to-peak amplitude, first derivative and second derivative. While performing the classification process using a neural network, the accuracy of prediction was calculated for both the normal and hypertensive subjects.

Effect of Varying Molecular Weight of Oat β-Glucan Taken just before Eating on Postprandial Glycemic Response in Healthy Humans.

To see if the molecular weight (MW) and viscosity of oat β-glucan (OBG) when taken before eating determine its effect on postprandial glycemic responses (PPRG), healthy overnight-fasted subjects (n = 16) were studied on eight separate occasions. Subjects consumed 200 mL water alone (Control) or with 4 g OBG varying in MW and viscosity followed, 2–3 min later, by 113 g white-bread. Blood was taken fasting and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after starting to eat. None of the OBG treatments differed significantly from the Control for the a-priori primary endpoint of glucose peak-rise or secondary endpoint of incremental area-under-the-curve (iAUC) over 0–120 min. However, significant differences from the Control were seen for glucose iAUC over 0–45 min and time to peak (TTP) glucose. Lower log(MW) and log(viscosity) were associated with higher iAUC 0–45 (p < 0.001) and shorter TTP (p < 0.001). We conclude that when 4 g OBG is taken as a preload, reducing MW does not affect glucose peak rise or iAUC0-120, but rather accelerates the rise in blood glucose and reduces the time it takes glucose to reach the peak. However, this is based on post-hoc calculation of iAUC0-45 and TTP and needs to be confirmed in a subsequent study.

Size and shape effects on the measured peak temperatures of nanoscale hotspots

As device length scales trend downward, small feature sizes and steep temperature gradients require thermometers with increasingly fine spatial resolution in order to capture the true peak temperature. Here, we develop analytical expressions for the true and measured temperature rises as a function of thermometer size for Gaussian, disk-shaped, and rectangular surface heat sources. We find that even a thermometer the same size as the hotspot can underestimate the true peak temperature rise by more than 15%, and this error frequently exceeds 75% and can approach 90% for certain geometries when the thermometer is ten times larger than the measured hotspot. We show that a thermometer with resolution approximately two times smaller than the hotspot size is required to measure the peak temperature rise with less than 5% error for several common hotspot geometries. We also experimentally demonstrate that a 50 × 50 × 50 nm3 individual upconverting NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticle thermometer captures the peak temperature rise due to laser heating more accurately than conventional diffraction limited optical techniques that our modeling results show would underestimate this value. In contrast to apparent self-heating effects that spuriously increase the nanoparticle thermometry signal at high excitation intensities, we measure true laser heating, as confirmed by comparing measurements on glass and diamond substrates.

Discounts, rationing, and unemployment

Abstract How are changes in discount rates transmitted to unemployment, and are they a quantitatively relevant driver of the Great Recession? In this paper I answer these questions using a search and matching model featuring endogenous capital accumulation. Rising discount rates have a direct effect on unemployment, since hiring is an investment activity for firms in the presence of search frictions, and an indirect effect, since a rise in discounts reduces investment in capital, reducing the marginal product of labour and hence incentives to hire. I estimate changes in discount rates during the Great Recession using data on both stock markets and investment. Discounts measured from the stock market increase by more but recover faster, while discounts for capital investment increase by less but more persistently. Combined, the two discount measures can account for 52% of the peak rise in unemployment during the Great Recession. Finally, while capital discounts affect unemployment by changing labour productivity, their importance cannot be inferred from observed movements in labour productivity alone, and capital discounts raised unemployment even while observed labour productivity was rising.

Characteristics Of Eight Irish Dance Landings: Implications For Overuse Injury And Training

The aesthetics in Irish dance have evolved to create greater physical demands on dancer’s bodies. Irish dancers must land from difficult movements without letting their knees bend or heels touch the ground, causing large forces to be absorbed by the body. The majority of injuries incurred by Irish dancers are due to overuse (79.6%). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine loads on the body in female Irish dancers, including peak force, rise rate of force, and impulse in selected Irish hard shoe and soft shoe dance movements. It was hypothesized that the 8 movements would produce different GRF characteristics. METHODS: Sixteen female Irish dancers were recruited from the three highest competitive levels. Each performed a warm-up, reviewed 8 common Irish dance movements, and then performed each movement three times upon a force plate. Of the 8 movements, 4 were performed in soft shoes and 4 were performed in hard shoes. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were measured using a three-dimensional force plate recording at 1000 Hz. Peak force, rise rate, and vertical impulse were calculated. GRFs were normalized by each dancer’s body weight. RESULTS: Peak forces, rise rates, and impulses were significantly different across movements (F = 65.4, p < 0.01; F = 65.0, p < 0.01; and F = 67.4, p < 0.01 respectively). The movement with the highest peak force was the stomp. The movement with the highest rise rate was the double-toe. The movement with the highest impulse was the leap. The skip had the lowest values for all GRFs measured. Individual peak forces ranged from 0.67-9.86 times body weight. Individual rise rates ranged from 10-147 body weights per second. Individual impulses ranged from −0.12 to 0.32 body weight seconds. Years of experience was not correlated with peak force, rise rate, or impulse (p > 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: There is a large range in GRF characteristics created by Irish dancers. Dance movements that have high average peak forces may be associated with higher risk of overuse injury. Irish dancers should use appropriate training methods to strengthen the tissues at greatest risk of overuse injury.